Visiting Wetlands: Things to keep in mind

Nature is said to be the biggest teacher and there is nothing better than to walk off the beaten track. It enables you to gain firsthand experience about what the wild has in store for human beings and the animal kingdom. This is the reason why more schools and colleges are taking their students to the natural world so that they can draw inspiration from their visits while learning about living microorganisms around them.

The Wetland is a place that is a delight for any nature lover although the visitors can typically be broken into three categories. The first is students who can see and feel what they learn about plant and living life in classes. The second is instructors who not only impart the practical knowledge to students but also discover many facets of life for themselves. The third is the scientists, some of whom spend a lifetime conducting studies and attempting to unravel the many mysteries of nature.

However, visiting wetlands is not a stroll in the park. There are many things that you have to keep in mind before you can step off the paved trails and venture deep into the woods and wetlands. Here are a few things that you would do well to follow.

Take a seasoned instructor with you – It is easy to lose your way in the marshlands and especially at places where the landscape is flat and monotonous. In the absence of any landmarks, it can also be difficult for you to find your way back if you venture into the wetlands alone. An instructor can also enlighten you on the many aspects of the wetlands that you are visiting.

Wear proper clothing – Never wear short pants or half sleeved shirts while visiting the wetlands as your arms and legs can get badly scratched while you are going through dense vegetation that does not have fixed trails winding through them. If you are not careful, you might require several skin rejuvenation procedures on IPL machine or microdermabrasion machine provided by Universal Medical Aesthetics, to restore your skin after your trip. Instead, wear long pants and shirts made of thick cotton. Carry a rain jacket and rain pants as vegetation might be wet long after the rains have stopped. Rubber boots and a large hat are also highly recommended as most of the time you will be walking through slushy mud or standing in the water.

Carry necessary medication – Be prepared for the unexpected and carry necessary medication with you. In wetlands, insect stings and bites can turn out to be deadly if not attended to immediately and appropriate ointments should be taken along. Keep them handy in your backpack.

Writing or photographing in the rain – You will definitely want to take notes or photograph the environment around you. Use notebooks with water resistant paper, and as ball pen ink does not generally run, carry a few with you. Keep your camera or mobile phone wrapped in plastic with a cut for the lens.

Take necessary permissions – You instructor will generally gain the necessary permission to visit the wetlands from the right statutory or controlling bodies. If you are going alone, do not forget to investigate this aspect.

Finally, leave the wetlands in the same condition as when you entered it. Wetlands play a crucial role in preserving our fragile eco-system and it is everybody’s responsibility to preserve it.